Setting Up Your Cage

Cage Itself

Litter Box

There are so many cage options and configurations. See (click) this page to determine what might work for you. How all of these items are arranged in your chosen cage will be up to you (and your bunny!).

Dishes

Bowl for pellet food.

Rabbits tend to drink more from a bowl than from a bottle. I prefer this type of bowl (on left) that twists on to a clamp that attaches to the cage. Pictured is a 20 oz bowl. I use two of this size for two rabbits. Just about any bowl can be used for pellet food. Adult rabbits only get a limited amount, so the pellets are usually eaten as soon as offered. That means the pellet bowl remains empty most of the time. The pellet bowl could serve double duty if also used for serving daily greens. Others prefer to serve the daily greens on a plate.Many rabbits like to toss their bowls. To them, it is just another toy in their cage. A heavy ceramic crock can discourage this (as can the clamped bowl).

Flooring

Once bunny is litter trained, having a soft place for bunny to lay is a good idea. Above is a padded bath mat. A pet bed might also work. Finding the right mat is often a matter of trying different options. Some rabbits will chew and ingest what others may not. Scroll down on (click) this page for a note about flooring options.

Large is good! An 16" x 23" plastic storage tub makes an ideal litter box. Here it is set up with wood stove pellets topped with hay. For more on this set up, see (click) this page. TIP: Rabbits usually prefer their litter box in a back corner or somewhere in their enclosure that is more secluded. In a multi-level cage, this may mean under a low shelf.

Toys

Some rabbits ignore toys. Others can't get enough. Rotating which toys are offered is a good way to keep bunny interested. Except for the hard plastic keys above, the other toys pictured are consumable -- bunny will chew them up (and enjoy every minute of it!).Anything loose in the cage is a potential chew or toss toy. If your bunny starts tossing its food bowl, don't think he's being naughty. He's just playing with "his toy."

Alternative Way to Offer Hay

Offering bunny his daily hay by placing it directly in the litter box is certainly fine to do. Alternatively, one can hang a hay rack over the litter box. The idea is that bunny should have to hop into the litter box in order to access their hay. This encourages good potty habits since they like to potty while they graze on hay. For photos of other hay racks and to see which ones to avoid, click this page.

Don't forget a first-aid kit and ​some cleaning supplies.

Aside from setting up your cage, you'll need to be sure that you have a first-aid kit prepared. Click here to be directed to that information.

You'll also want to have some supplies on hand for cleaning your cage -- a small broom (or a shop vacuum) and some white vinegar. To see more on cleaning your cage, click here.

Exercise pens are handy to have on hand.

Whether or not you decide to use an exercise pen for a cage, it still is a good idea to have one (or an extra one) an hand. I have found that exercise pens come in handy for rabbits for multiple reasons. Some you can see below.